Thursday, February 26, 2015

February DMC Wrap-Up + Giveaway

At the beginning of this month, David Elliott challenged us to write a letter poem to a bird, animal, or other object of our choice. He suggested we research our topic, no matter how familiar we were with it, in order to bring a little-known fact or unique angle to our work.

The results were delightful! You responded with humorous and wonder-filled poems, addressed to recipients as small as a snail and as large as the frozen winter.

Congratulations to everyone who found their way through the process, and thanks again to David Elliott for a challenge that not only keeping us writing this month, but kept us learning as well!

Here are this month's fabulous poems:

Dear Sir Roly-Poly,I thank you for your inquiry about your pedigree.Regretfully, appearances belie your family tree.I’ve turned most every leaf and stone. My research seems to say—you’re not a bug at all! Not in the ‘insect’ sort of way.Instead you are crustacean! (Your kin are water-bound,so how you came to live on land— that fact I’ve not yet found.)Some further facts are needed. More ancestry should be followed.But meanwhile I should caution you— don’t let yourself be swallowed.Your rolling-up ability (that ‘conglobation’ skill)Could cause some sickly creature to mistake you for a pill.Sincerely,Professor O. Possum

Dear Cat, I love you on my lap. I love to hear your purr. But must your play involve a snap And what’s with all the fur? Oh queen, aloof. You go your way You barely look at me. Best regards throughout your day, Your slave eternally.

Dear Dad, I’m having trouble fitting in. I feel unhappy in my skin. The kids at school all call me names; they carry torches bright with flames. Teachers chase me through the rooms with pitchforks, clubs, and wooden brooms. When I say, “Hi,” the parents flee. It’s almost like they’re scared of me. Sorry, I don’t mean to whine. Love, your son, Jack Frankenstein

Hello Mr. Snail,Are you hiding in your shell?Or, dwelling in the gardenThe place you love so well.Your skin is very slimy,Antennae on your head.Gliding ‘cross the mucousOn leaves of green and red.Beware the lurking robinOr a feast you’ll be.Stay tucked within the foliageDeep within the tree.But if you choose to crawl,Please hurry as you go.Advice from your good friend.Sincerely,U.R. Slowe

Dear Mr. Penguin, Swim in your tuxedo. The water’s just a bit too cool For you to wear a speedo. Frolic on the shoreline And dive for fish all day. Listen to the gulls As tides are swept away. Set upon your egg, A chick be born real soon. Upon the frozen tundra With the rising of the moon. On slickest ice you thrive Where it’s rocky and it’s hilly. But just too cold for me, Your good friend, I.M. Chilly

Dear Ms. Flamingo, You rest while standing on a stilt, Astride a nest of mud and silt. You dig the sand with spoon like bill, Then fish and clams your gullet fill. On rising sun you swarm in flight, A spectacle in morning light. You shadow blue and pink the sky Sincerely from, An awestruck eye

Dear Elephant,I'd like to have those ears that flap, to cool my body down.'Cause when it's hot and sticky, I'm not fun to be around.My brother, he can wiggle his, but mine won't move at all.Maybe you can teach me on my zoo field trip this fall?Sincerely, A flap-less Chap

to send your letter poem to TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com or use the contact form in the sidebar to the right.

Participants in this month's challenge will be automatically entered to win a personalized copy of David Elliott's newest collection of children's poetry, ON THE WING. (One entry per participant, not per poem.)

Alternatively, you may enter the giveaway by commenting below. If you contribute a poem and comment below you will earn two entries in total. Comments must be received by Tuesday, March 3rd.

The winner will be determined by Random.org and announced next Friday, March 6th, when we reveal our new Spotlight ON interview and ditty challenge. Good luck!

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CHECK IT OUT...

DEAR TOMATO: AN INTERNATIONAL CROP OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE POEMS, edited by Carol-Ann Hoyte, is ripe for picking and available for purchase on Amazon.com. I have three poems in this collection: "The Emperor's Greenhouse," "Compost Bin," and "The Plight of the Honeybee."

Michelle, I love the variety of these poems! I had a terrible time coming up with a topic, and then tonight, one was waiting for me on Facebook. I'm sharing my poem for Poetry Friday: https://readingtothecore.wordpress.com/2015/02/27/poetry-friday-dear-mr-mrs-eagle/Thanks to you and David for this challenge!

What I love best about these poems is the creative sign-offs. :) I am really feeling Liz's "Dear Cold" poem... poor daffodils, all chipper one morning and droopy the next. :) And aren't you a busy gal, Michelle! Wishing you joy as you pursue all these wonderful word-y challenges. I can feel your brain expanding from here! xo

I'm with Irene - so cleverly signed! (Like your "Unrequited"...) I LOVED roly-poly bugs as a child, so am particularly partial to Damon's, er, the Professor's contribution. Love Joy's Geode, and I can totally relate to Keri's - "we’re even wearing shoes." Thanks for all the fun to read this month!

These are amazing! So many great ones. What an awesome challenge. I do love epistolary poems. In fact, did you see this contest? http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/294020251.html I don't know if being online would constitute "published." Some publishers say yes, others no. But it wouldn't hurt to try... or call to find out, I guess.

Wow! You and David inspired some terrific poems, Michelle! I especially like Catherine Flynn's letter to Mr. and Mrs. Eagle. (Congrats on your poems in the Dear Tomato anthology...I'm excited to be included as well.) =)

These are so delightful! Love them. I grew up in Mississippi, so I especially like Keri's letter to snow. We never get it as far south as I am, so I know how much she loved seeing it. I hope we are not seeded against each other in MMPoetry. It's my first try. Feeling brave and feeling scared.

Only if we both make it to semifinals, Margaret. It's possible, I suppose, but doubtful. I'm up against someone that's going to be tough to beat in the first round. You ARE brave, Margaret... that's one of the things I truly admire about you! And win or lose, you're going to do great!

Margaret, loved MMPoetry too the last two years! Out in first round in 2013 and 2nd round in 2014! Hung around the ring and cheered/laughed/sighed/grinned for the whole thing. THAT was the fun of it all. Good luck!

Michelle, I am impressed with the letter poetry challenge entries. They are delightful and just ripe for my picking. I am working with fourth grade teachers on a poetry unit so these poems may be just right ones with a humorous touch.

Ha! Tabatha, thanks for the thought! I had to find that word in my research...had never heard it before.I have been conglobating a lot lately on these cold frozen days in my normally mild southern clime.

About Me

I write children's poetry, picture books, and greeting card copy. My creative challenge is to bring out the natural musicality and rhythm of words and let them bounce around (and otherwise run amok) within the sphere of my imagination. Please visit my website at MichelleHBarnes.com

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In accordance with the Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA), Today's Little Ditty does not seek personal information of children under age 13. If a child under age 13 chooses to comment on a post or otherwise participate on this blog (by submitting a poem, for example), he or she must do so via a parent or with written parental consent. Comments or poems submitted by children under 13 without parental consent will be deleted.